23 Feb 2006

US General John Abizaid arrived at the military terminal of Wellington Airport at 2pm this afternoon to peace activists demanding his immediate arrest for war crimes. Activists shouted 'scum' 'get out' and 'war monger' during the formal military welcome which included a haka.

The General's visit was leaked to the media accidentally on Tuesday by the Prime Minister. It is likely that he is here to encourage a further commitment of New Zealand troops including SAS soldiers to the war on the people of Afghanistan (the so-called 'War on Terrorism').

As commanding officer of US Central Command, Abizaid condoned the torture and abuses at Abu Ghraib and Bagram prisons. He further sanctioned the assault on thousands of civilians in Falluja.

The reception given to a man who has committed grave crimes against humanity is cause for serious alarm by all people concerned with issues of peace, justice and self-determination in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the globe. This man should be tried for his crimes, not welcomed as a hero.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The New Government’s Policies Of Yesteryear

Winston Peters is routinely described as the kingmaker who decides whether the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded, but equally important role as the scapegoat who can be blamed for killing taxes that his senior partners never much wanted in the first place. Neither Ardern nor Robertson for example, really wanted a capital gains tax, for fear of Labour copping the “tax and spend“ label they ended up being saddled with anyway. Usefully though, they could tell the party faithful it was wicked old Winston who killed the CGT. More